STATISTICS published by police show an apparently alarming increase in crime.

Figures for Woking released on the Surrey Police website show a 17.9% increase in total crime between September and November last year, compared to the same period in 2007.

The data includes a staggering 1,000% rise in robbery in the borough.

In comparison, the neighbouring boroughs of Guildford, Elmbridge, Spelthorne and Surrey Heath have all seen a decrease of 4.3%, 17.5%, 1.2% and 11.6%, respectively.

According to the statistics, most of Woking borough’s wards saw increases in burglary, robbery, vehicle crime, violence and anti-social behaviour.

Byfleet, West Byfleet and Pyrford show a 12% rise in total crime and a 62.5% increase in burglary. However, the figures also show a decrease of 8.3% in vehicle crime and a 22.8% decrease in anti-social behaviour.

Statistics for Sheerwater reveal a 20.3% increase in total crime, rising from an average of 23 crimes during September to November 2007 to 27.7 crimes for the same months in 2008.

The figures show violent crime increased by 82.4% in the area.

Figures for Horsell also show another huge rise, with an increase of 51.7% in total crime, along with a 137.5% increase in vehicle crime. Old Woking, Kingfield and Westfield and Mount Hermon, St John’s, Hook Heath and Mayford wards also saw increases in total crime.

Crime in Maybury, however, dipped by 2.2% on average, with falling vehicle crime, violence and anti-social behaviour. However, the area still suffered from a 100% rise in robbery.

Goldsworth Park also saw a decreasing total crime level by 11.9%, with lowering levels of robbery, violence and anti-social behaviour.

The information supplied by Surrey Police is a joint initiative involving around 30 other forces.

Superintendent Johnny Johncox said: “The crime figures for Woking borough show a number of increases during the period September to November 2008 when compared with the same period in the previous year, 2007.

“Clearly this can create an impression that there could be a cause for concern particularly when the increase in robberies demonstrates as a 1,000% increase.

“However, I would urge that the information should be read carefully as there are factors which can lead to some figures appearing disproportionately high.

“Surrey as a county experiences low levels of crime and so any rise will appear as a large percentage figure which could be misleading on its own.”